McNabb, Robbie Lee
Robbie McNabb, 85, passed away on December 4, 2020 after contracting COVID-19. Robbie had been a long-term resident of the Lewis County Nursing and Rehabilition Center.
She was born Robbie Lee Allen on April 23, 1935 in Lawrence County. Robbie was the daughter of Charlie E. Staggs and Pauline Allen. She grew up during the hard times of the Great Depression; however, she was taught the values of faith and hard work, which helped her overcome adversity and to become a strong, independent, and successful woman.
Robbie held several careers over her lifetime. She was a seamstress at Henry I. Siegel and worked in the loom room at Lewis Products. She owned her own successful cleaning service with, including some of the more privileged members of both the Lewis and Maury County communities, such as mayors, bank presidents, and millionaires. She was also known for her culinary skills and catered many parties and special events. She later retired from the Lewis County Court House as a cleaning lady.
Robbie’s hobbies included fishing, collecting antiques, and gardening. She won the community “Yard of the Week” contest several times for her English-style flower garden. She also enjoyed playing the guitar. Robbie was passionate about the prevention of cruelty to animals and spearheaded several initiatives to feed and house stray animals.
Surviving are three sons, Joe Smith, Carl Smith, and Harold Smith of Hohenwald; four grandchildren, Joe Smith, Jr. of Lexington, J.R. Smith, Crystal Nash, and Jerry Smith of Hohenwald; one sister, Lucille Ragsdale of Mt. Pleasant, and several great and great-great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Pennington and Christine Shaffer; and three husbands, Clayburn Smith, Larry King, and Jack McNabb.
No funeral service is planned at this time. Her cremains will be placed at a later date in Swiss Cemetery beside her first husband, Clayburn Smith.